and I pretty much am for every veteran reclamation project that's ever been tossed around.

Agreed! Do not want. I would take Cunningham over Edwards any day.

On an other poin, if you need a reason to not take everything PFF says read this

Quote:

6. Chandler Jones, DE, NE (+11.4)

Didnít do much against the Bills, except pick up a solitary hurry and just the one tackle. Post bye-week blues, or is Jones running on empty? He sits out an average of just 6.3 snaps per game for the Patriots.

Jones did have a quiet second half, but in the first quarter he was a big factor in the ff by Wilfork when he had CJ Spiller covered in the flat. He also drew a big holding call on Glenn and he forced Fitzpatrick to step up in the pocket right into Rob Ninkovich. Jones may not have made many individual "splash" plays but at numerous times you seen him create things for others which is what the good defensive players do

Tedy Bruschi claimed that Belichick's focus against the Vikings in the past was limiting Edwards rather than Jared Allen, so there should be some respect for Edwards. I'm not sure why he wasn't productive in Atlanta (laziness, fit, injuries?) but he was previously an effective pass rusher and has great size (6'5", 275), strength (30 reps) and explosion (39" vertical at the Combine.)

I wouldn't exactly break the bank for him, but he has only played 212 snaps this year (out of almost 600.) Obviously he wasn't effective in that limited playing time, so I think a one-year deal for a low amount could be negotiated. Otherwise, I'm with you on not committing big money or a long-term contract to him.

I know I'm looking too far ahead at this point, but does anyone else think 2013 needs to be a trade back/trade down year? The Patriots had the youngest starting lineup in the league to begin the season, and despite some of the defensive struggles, they have some young talent at every position to develop. Wide receiver and potentially right guard could use youth injections, but the Patriots have consistently ranked among the best offenses in the league this year; it seems like a waste to work on scoring more points when giving up points is the problem.

The solution appears to be finding more specialized players. Obviously an interior pass rusher, maybe a rotational end, a linebacker who can cover tight ends. Are any of those necessary in the first or second round, though? It seems like the majority of the defense is pretty sound, but can be exploited in consistent ways which are best addressed with mid-round rotational players. The chances of finding a long-term starter in the third or fourth round in the front seven are pretty low (20-30%) but the starting lineup already looks pretty good.

I don't really care if they trade back or not. What they need to do is find people who will contribute right away in the areas they need help in. If someone like Jelani Jenkins shoots up draft boards, and the Patriots think he'll be a Michael Boley type cover linebacker in the NFL, but they only plan on playing him 30-40% of the time they should still pull the trigger. Same with a guy like Sheldon Richardson, if they think he'll come in and play 30% of the snaps, but he'll produce like Geno Atkins did early in his career then pull the trigger as well.

The only thing they can't do early is take a high upside developmental guy who specializes in the run game (Hightower) even if they plan on playing him all 3 downs. Get guys who can stop the pass, and get the best ones that are available regardless of how much they plan on playing them.

I don't really care if they trade back or not. What they need to do is find people who will contribute right away in the areas they need help in. If someone like Jelani Jenkins shoots up draft boards, and the Patriots think he'll be a Michael Boley type cover linebacker in the NFL, but they only plan on playing him 30-40% of the time they should still pull the trigger. Same with a guy like Sheldon Richardson, if they think he'll come in and play 30% of the snaps, but he'll produce like Geno Atkins did early in his career then pull the trigger as well.

The only thing they can't do early is take a high upside developmental guy who specializes in the run game (Hightower) even if they plan on playing him all 3 downs. Get guys who can stop the pass, and get the best ones that are available regardless of how much they plan on playing them.

If I'm being honest and the Pats don't go offensive line in the first then I don't see where they get a full time starter unless they go CB. Guys like Richardson, Short, Ansah, Carradine etc won't be every down guys to start with, or even by the end of the year.

The problem with the Pats is they change so drastically depending on opponent. They may be in base 70% against one team and sub 70% against another. Trying to deduce who they will value is almost impossible

Nice write up as always Matthew. I think this game is going to be won in one of two areas. The defensive line and the secondary.

Chandler Jones will go up against Castonzo which is a match up you have to favour Jones in. On the left side of the defensive line Cunningham and Nink will go up against Winston Justice who is most famous for being whipped play after play by Osi Umneyiora a few years back en route to a 7 sack performance. The DEs should have some success today, however the interior of the Colts line is just awful. Satele struggles with bigger, more powerful guys and the OGs as you mentioned are at best journeymen. If the defensive line can disrupt Luck then it could be a good day. Although one thing Luck does well is scramble within the pocket whilst keeping his eyes down the field.

In the secondary it will be interesting to see how often Talib plays and who he matches up on. If he were with the team a few more weeks I would expect him to primarily be on Reggie Wayne, however with Wayne being used as the move WR this year BB may decide just to employ Talib on one side in a certain type of coverage. Either way expect Wayne to be bracketed most of the day. The front 7 will like their chances against this Colts run game so it all comes down to stopping big plays. Donnie Avery and TY Hilton have both had some big chunk plays this year and the Pats have a tendency to give them up. However if they can get up early and limit Wayne I would like to hope that the secondary can force Luck into some mistakes and make this one a comfortable win.

I think the Patriots will win as well, maybe 31-24? I'm nervous about Andrew Luck and the receiving options, but New England should be able to score fairly easily. This is not one of the best defenses the Patriots will see this season, especially without Dwight Freeney playing as well as he traditionally has.

I think the Patriots will win as well, maybe 31-24? I'm nervous about Andrew Luck and the receiving options, but New England should be able to score fairly easily. This is not one of the best defenses the Patriots will see this season, especially without Dwight Freeney playing as well as he traditionally has.

Yeah Mathis is the main guy now on that defense.

I also forgot to mention Dwayne Allen for the Colts. Fleener hasn't gotten going yet and is inactive, however Allen has made some nice plays in recent weeks. Guarding TEs is one of the worrying points about the Pats defense this year as well. I do think the Colts can score, my hope is that the Pats can get a quick start and force the Colts to be one dimensional.

If I'm being honest and the Pats don't go offensive line in the first then I don't see where they get a full time starter unless they go CB. Guys like Richardson, Short, Ansah, Carradine etc won't be every down guys to start with, or even by the end of the year.

The problem with the Pats is they change so drastically depending on opponent. They may be in base 70% against one team and sub 70% against another. Trying to deduce who they will value is almost impossible

Ansah seems like a guy who could be a 3 down lineman in all of our schemes.

Personally, I see him as a Chandler Jones type at LDE.

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I was gone for 2 months doing things I can't talk about. It might happen again, but that's just the nature of what I do and who I am.

That's his role. If you're not going to play him up 30 then don't play him at all on extra points. I hate this stuff about being up a certain amount of points and then just stopping. I can kinda agree that you don't want such a valuable weapon putting himself at risk blocking XPs and field goals, however we all know that as soon as an important field goal or XP gets blocked then we are all saying why don't we have better blockers there.

This injury sucks, but it could actually work out in the Pats favour. The division is all but wrapped up. Gronk sitting for a few weeks may acually get his hip healthy. Plus if Hernandez comes back Thursday then hopefully he will pick up some of the slack